Johnsburg man succumbs to injuries from Thursday crash

GENEVA – A Johnsburg man critically injured in a two-vehicle collision Thursday on Route 72 has died, according to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the sheriff’s office were notified at 11 a.m. Friday that Martin Baureis, 26, had died at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, according to a news release.

Baureis was flown to the hospital Thursday morning after his vehicle struck a semitrailer on Route 72, authorities said. The collision happened around 10:15 a.m. near Route 72 and Big Timber Road, between Gilberts and Pingree Grove.

According to the initial investigation, Baureis’ Toyota was traveling west on Route 72 at a high rate of speed, crossed the center line and went into the oncoming lane of traffic. Baureis was the only person in the car.

The driver of the semitrailer, Michael Fritz of McHenry, was heading east on Route 72 and approached a curve in the roadway. Fritz told authorities that he tried but was unable to avoid a crash as the Toyota swerved into his lane. Fritz was not injured.

After the crash, the Toyota caught fire, and Baureis was “pinned in the vehicle,” according to police. Emergency responders kept the fire from reaching the car’s passenger compartment by using fire extinguishers.

Deputies have not determined whether texting, drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.